A Lake Michigan Sunset | Photo by Brad Reed
Take a Car Ferry Shortcut Between Traverse City, Michigan and Green Bay, Wisconsin
Northeastern Wisconsin and Northwest Michigan have a lot in common. Situated across Lake Michigan from each other, the scenery boasts rolling countryside, magnificent lake views, and miles of beautiful beaches.
Traverse City to Green Bay the Easy Way!
Should you wish to travel from Traverse City to Green Bay, the S.S. Badger is the way to go. Take a scenic drive of less than two hours from Traverse City to Ludington, Michigan. Ludington is the home port of the Lake Michigan Carferry, and a wonderful community to visit. In Ludington, you can board the S.S. Badger carferry and enjoy a relaxing four hour cruise to Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Once in Manitowoc, you have less than an hour’s drive to Green Bay.
S.S. Badger Carferry Amenities
The fun isn’t just found on land…there are lots of entertaining activities aboard the S.S. Badger as it makes its four hour trip across Lake Michigan. Find a lounge chair out on the spacious deck and soak up the sun, play Badger Bingo, watch a movie, shop in the Badger Boatique, or enjoy a meal or drink. The trip will fly by, and you may not want to disembark!
Congratulations to the S.S. Badger on its status as a National Historic Landmark! Click here to read more about the history of this great ship.
Experience More Lake Michigan Circle Tours
There are many wonderful scenic routes and tours to help discover all the beauty of the Lake Michigan shoreline.
The Lake Michigan Circle Tour connects over a hundred lighthouses and is one of the most scenic routes in the United States.
Do you want to travel between Traverse City, Michigan and Green Bay, Wisconsin? Take a short cut across Lake Michigan on the car ferry.
The Northern Lake Michigan Circle Tour is considered by many to be the most beautiful half of the trip around the big lake.
The Southern Lake Michigan Circle Tour goes from Manitowoc, Wisconsin around Lake Michigan, eventually ending in Ludington, Michigan.
Here are suggested Circle Tour routes which utilize one of Lake Michigan’s ferry services to take a short cut across the lake.
The Lake Michigan Circle Tour is one of the scenic road systems around the Great Lakes. The other Great Lakes also have circle tours.
More Lake Michigan Ferry Info
SS Badger Car Ferry
Cross Lake Michigan between Manitowoc, Wisconsin and Ludington, Michigan on the SS Badger car ferry. Save the driving and enjoy a cruise!
Car Ferry History
Lake Michigan is rich with car ferry history, and the SS Badger car ferry is the most storied of the car ferry fleet.
Manitowoc Wisconsin Car Ferry
Manitowoc is the Wisconsin port for the S.S. Badger Car Ferry which sails across Lake Michigan to Ludington.
Loop the Lake with a Circle Tour Shortcut!
Here are suggested Circle Tour routes which utilize one of Lake Michigan’s ferry services to take a short cut across the lake.
Highway US-10
The Highway US-10 continuance crosses Lake Michigan between Manitowoc, Wisconsin and Ludington, Michigan via the SS Badger car ferry.
Lake Michigan Ferries
There are two car ferries operating on Lake Michigan, offering cross-lake service for vehicles and passengers between Michigan and Wisconsin.
Port of Manitowoc, Wisconsin
The Port of Manitowoc is a deep water draft commercial harbor on Lake Michigan, and the Wisconsin port for the SS Badger car ferry.
Discover More Lake Michigan Destinations
South Haven, Michigan
South Haven has always been a port city due to its location on Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Black River.
Hammond, Indiana
Straddling Indiana’s border with Illinois sits Hammond, which thrives despite the decline of factories on the southern tip of Lake Michigan.
Charlevoix County, Michigan
Charlevoix County is located in Northern Michigan and includes communities like Charlevoix, Boyne City, and East Jordan.
Manitowoc County, Wisconsin
Manitowoc County is located in the southeast part of Wisconsin and is the western port for the S.S. Badger Car Ferry.
Manistique, Michigan
Manistique is a harbor town and was formerly known as a lumber transfer town as well as a popular commercial fishing port.
Cook County, Illinois
Cook County is in Illinois, adjacent to Indiana. The county seat is Chicago, which is the third most populous city in the United States.